In the AMC seriesMad Men, Sterling Cooper and its parent company, Putnam, Powell and Lowe, are acquired by McCann Erickson, leading Don Draper to help start a new agency rather than be part of what he calls a "sausage factory."[7] Responding to the show, the ad company bought space in Adweek, Brandweek, and Mediaweek reading, "Welcome, Sterling Cooper," which was signed, "Your friends at McCann Erickson."[8] Later in the series, Roger Sterling negotiates the sale of Sterling Cooper & Partners to McCann as an independent subsidiary.

Notable former employees include Theodor Seuss Geisel, best known to the world as Dr. Seuss, and President Ronald Reagan's brother, Neil Reagan, who was senior vice president of McCann Erickson.[9][10]